Teach for America has long been controversial, with many conventional school systems eschewing hiring recent college graduates who undergo the five-week training program.
Other school systems and charter schools -- particularly those with a
high enrollment of low-income, English language learner or minority
students -- say Teach for America fills a need.

Jefferson isn't the only School Board to tackle this recently. Here's
how five other school boards incorporated -- or did not incorporate --
Teach for America in classrooms:

Durham, N.C. --
In August, the School Board voted to honor its current contract with
the training program but not to pursue new relationships with the group
beyond 2015-16. The reasons? Teachers were too inexperienced, and they
don't stay with the system long, some board members said.

Pittsburgh -- The School Board voted in late 2013 to
recruit as many as 30 Teach For America corps members, with the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation footing the almost $750,000 bill. But one
election and four new members later, the board rescinded its approval.
It was the first time a school board reversed a choice to bring the
program into the system, a Teach For America spokeswoman told the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Seattle --
In 2012, the School Board voted to continue its partnership with the
program, despite opposition from some teachers who dismissed the move as
an experiment. (Read this Hechinger Report article for more about one Seattle recruit's experience.)

San Francisco --
On Tuesday (April 28), the School Board will decide whether to hire 24
Teach For America recruits. The superintendent supports the move because
of the school system's severe staff shortage. Still, the board
initially deferred a decision, just as the Jefferson School Board did
last week. San Francisco board members cite teacher inexperience as an
issue -- again, just as some Jefferson members have.

Greensboro, N.C.
-- The Guilford County Board of Education, which educates more than
72,000 students, approved a three-year partnership with Teach For
America in 2013. Guilford County's superintendent praised the organization.

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KSN&C is intended to be a place for well-reasoned civil discourse...not to suggest that we don’t appreciate the witty retort or pithy observation. Have at it. But we do not invite the anonymous flaming too often found in social media these days. This is a destination for folks to state your name and speak your piece.

It is important to note that, while the Moderator serves as Faculty Regent for Eastern Kentucky University, all comments offered by the Moderator on KSN&C are his own opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Regents, the university administration, faculty, or any members of the university community.

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Why This Blog?

So far as we know, we only get one lifetime. So, when I "retired" in 2004, after 31-years in public education I wanted to do something different. I wanted to teach, write and become a student again. I have since spent a decade in higher ed.

I have listened to so many commentaries over the years about what should be done to improve Kentucky's schools - written largely by folks who have never tried to manage a classroom, run a school, or close an achievement gap. I came to believe that I might have something to offer.

I moved, in 1985, from suburban northern Kentucky to what was then the state’s flagship district - Fayette County. I have had a unique set of experiences to accompany my journey through KERA’s implementation. I have seen children grow to graduate and lead successful lives. I have seen them go to jail and I have seen them die. I have been amazed by brilliant teachers, dismayed by impassive bureaucrats, disappointed by politicians and uplifted by some of Kentucky’s finest school children. When I am not complaining about it, I will attest that public school administration is critically important work.

Democracy is run by those who show up. In our system of government every citizen has a voice, but only if they choose to use it.

This blog is totally independent; not supported or sponsored by any institution or political organization. I will make every effort to fully cite (or link to) my sources. Please address any concerns to the author.

On the campaign trail...with my wife Rita

An action shot: The Principal...as a much younger man.

Faculty Senate Chair

Serving as Mace Bearer during the Inauguration of Michael T. Benson as EKU's 12th president.

Teaching

EDF 203 in EKU's one-room schoolhouse.

Professin'

Lecturing on the history of Berea College to Berea faculty and staff, 2014.

Faculty Regent

One in a long series of meetings. 2016

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